Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-11-22


wouldn't mind sittin' down ON that locker
until I've strapped this yer box.
''But what does it all mean, fatherr'
said Rosey, taking the old man by the la
pei of his pea jacket and slightly empha-
sizing her question. What in the name of
goodness are you doingi''
'Breakin' camp, Rosey, dear, breakin'
camp, jist as we uster," replied Mott, with
cheerful philosophy. "Kinder like ole
times, amt it, Lord, Rosey," he contin-
ued, stopping and following up the remi-
niscence with the end Of the rope in his
hand as IL it were a clew, don't ye mind
that day we started outer Livermore pass
and seed the hull O. the Californy coast
stretchin' yonder, eh' But don't ye be
skeered, Rosey, dear, he added quickly,
as If In recognition Of the alarm expressed
In her face Il amt turning ye outer
house and home; I've jist hired that ere
Madrono Cottage from the Peters ontil We
kin look round
"But you're not leaving the ship,
father" continued Rosey, impetuously.
"You haven't sold it to that man Sleight,"
Mr.. Mott rose and carefully closed the
cabin door. Then drawing large wallet
from his pocket he said, ''It's singular ye
should hev got the name right the first
pop, amt it, Rosey' but it's Sleight, sure
enough all the time. This yer check" he
added, producing paper from the depths
Of the wallet, this yer check for $25, 900
Is what he paid for 1t only two hours ago"
"But,' said Renshaw, springing to his
feet furiously, you're duped, swindled-
betrayed
young man," said Mott, throwing a
certain dignity into his habitual gesture of
placing his hands on Renshaw's shoulders,
81 bought this yer ship five years ago jist
ez she stood for $1,000. Kalkilatin' wot
she cost me in repairs and taxes, and wot
she brought me in since then, accordin' to
my figgerin, don't call a clear profit Of
$15, 900 much Of swindle."
"Tell him ALL" said Rosey, quickly,
more alarmed at Renshaw's despairing
face than at the news itself Tell him
everything, Dick--Mr. Renshaw; it may
not be too late -
In voice half choked with passionate
indignation Renshaw hurriedly repeated
the story of The hidden treasure, and the
plot to rescue it, prompted frequently by
Rosey's tenacious memory, and assisted
by Rosey's deft and tactful explanations.
But TO their surprise the imperturbable
countenance Of Abner Mott never altered;
a slight moisture of kindly paternal toler-
ance Of their extravaganza glistened in
his little eyes, but nothing more.
"Ef there was part o. this ship, a
plank or II bolt ez don't know, ez hewitt
touched with my own hand, and looked
into with my own eyes, thar might be
suthin' in that story. | don't let ON to be
a sailor like you, but ez | know the ship
ez a boy knows his first boss, as woman
knows her first babby, reckon thar amt
no treasure yer, onless it was brought into
the Pontiac last night by them chaps"
"But are you mad? Seght would not
pay three times the value of the ship
today if he were not positivel And that
positive knowledge was gained last night
by the villain who broke into the Pontiac
no doubt the Lascar."
"Surely, said Mott, meditatively 1.-THE
Lascarl There's suthin' in that. That
Lascar fastened down in the hold last
night unbekownst to you, Mr.. Renshaw,
and let him out again this morning ekally
unbeknownst.
"And you let him carry his informa-
ton to Sleight-without word" said
Renshaw, with sckening sense of Motifs
utter faulty
II sent him back with a message to the
man he KEN FROM" said Mott, winking
both his eyes at Renshaw significantly,
and making signs behind his daughters
back.
Rosey, conscious of her lovers irrita-
ton, and more eager to soothe his i'm
patience than from any faith in her sug
gestion interfered "Why not examine
the place where he was concealed9 he may
have left some traces of his Search
The two men looked at each other.
Seem ez I've turned the Pontiac over to
Sleight jist ez it stands, l don't know ez
it's 'Zactly on the square," said Mott
doubtfully
you've a right to know at least what
you deliver to him." interrupted Renshaw
brusquely Bring lantern"
TbiloNtu W NpSey, NeHSuhW anu INOht
hurriedly sought the lower deck and the
open hatch Of the forehold The two
men leaped down first with the lantern,
and then assisted Rosey to descend. Rem
shaw took a step forward and uttered
a cry.
The rays of the lantern fell on the ships
side The Lascar had, during his forced
secluson, put back the boxes of treasure
and replaced the planking, yet not so care
fully but that the quick eye of Renshaw
had discovered it. The next moment he
had stripped away the planking again,
and the hurriedly restored box which the
Lascar had found fell to the deck, scat
tering part of its ringing contents. Rosey
turned pale; Renshaw's eyes flashed fire;
only Abner Mott remained quiet and i'm
passive.
Are you satisfied you have been
duped?'' said Renshaw passionately.
To their surprise Mr. Mott stopped
down, and picking up one of the coins
handed it gravely to Renshaw. would
ye mind heftin' that ere coin in your
hand-feelin' it, bitin' it, scrapin' it with
a knife, and kinder SEEM how it COM
pares with other conss"
What do you mean" said Renshaw.
II mean that that yer coin-that all
the coins in this yer box, that all the coins
in them other boxes-and theirs forty on
'em-is all and every one of 'em counter
feitsr'
The piece dropped unconsciously from
Renshaw's hand, and striking another